Amputees try archery at NI event

Limbless Support N.I. brings amputees together for sports and social activities aimed at encouraging them to be active.

On Saturday 1 June, Marty McCullough, performance archery coach for the NI Academy and the NI schools project, arranged a have a go for a group of amputees at Lisnagarvey High School premises, in Lisburn.

Marty had initially set aside 2/3 hours for the session but it was such a success that he extended the session to 5 hours.

Marty said: "One of the participants had commented at the start of the session that there is so little in NI for Amputees. I joked with her 'That's all about to change today', and boy was I right, they absolutely loved it, and I think they will continue shooting arrows."

Marty will be issuing beginners course certificates so the participants can join their local club.

Funding for the session came from the Fletchers' Trust so Archery GB would like to extend our thanks to them for their commitment to supporting disabled archers.  

Barney, who took part in the session, said: "This is brilliant, I always wanted to do something that will now give me focus and purpose as I can't do the things I used to, including work, and it took my mind of the pain for a little while."

Sheila, another participant, said: "It was brilliant and I would definitely do it again."

Sheila added she lost her leg at 13 and there had been very little in NI for amputees for a very long time.